IMO it doesn't make any difference. I rent from AutoEurope a couple of times a year (this year, LAX, Copenhagen and Marseille) simply because they are less expensive. I do check the cost of 2nd driver, sometimes that can be different thru AE or via the rental company direct ie it might not be an extra cost. In LAX when picking up the car, there was a self service "check-in" kiosk which I would not use because I did not book direct so had to stay in line to see an agent. But I've not seen that in anyof the places I go to in Europe.

Those self service kiosks are pretty common at airports here as well. But usually it's no big deal to wait for maybe 5 minutes if there are other customers in line.

Items I would compare:
Fuel policy
Deductible/ excess payment
Coverage
Cancellation policy
Prepay vs pay on location
Airport / station fees if applicable

If TP means Third party liability insurance: this is always mandatory and included by law.

Otherwise I would say that it does not matter. Have rented this way and that way.

TP is Theft Protection. I want to use the CDW and TP offered by the credit card.

I have read some comments where dealing through brokers seems to offer some added 'protection' to customers in Europe than dealing directly with car companies. Not sure if the same would apply to Hertz....

That's correct. Some brokers offer that extra protection.
For example
When I book thru the major companies' websites, I only get quotes with 500-1200 euro deductible. If I want to reduce that to zero euros, I have to take an extra insurance per day. Usually around 10-15 euros per day.
When I book same car thru brokers' websites, they offer that "insurance" for the deductible for free (not always, but many)
Also not uncommon that they increase 3rd party liability above legal limits where they exist without an extra fee.
But you should check if you really need that or if your cc terms have it included.

When I have booked through AutoEurope (which I generally use when I drive in Europe) I have always taken the rate which includes insurance. I never use my credit card coverage for a variety of reasons I won't go into here. Be aware of what that included insurance is and is not. I have usually paid an additional charge to bring the deductible to zero and that was paid directly to the car rental company itself such as Europcar once I arrived.

It makes little difference until you have a problem---even after you get home. That is when the AE customer service shines---they are your advocate. It has saved my tail more than once.

Ditto Bob,

>It makes little difference until you have a problem---even after you get home.<

On my last trip Europcar decided that I should send them and additional 996E.

AE and Amex took care of it for me.

Ditto Bob & Ira.

We've had many "screw ups" with Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Europcar with cars we've rented through AutoEurope or Kemwel (Europcar processed someone else's return papers against our rental contract, fuel charge when we returned with a full tank, car rental for a car that we didn't even get the keys to, CDW when we signed our contract to waive it). Many moons ago I rented directly from Budget and their reply was "gas is expensive in Europe" and then they the completely ignored my further correspondence. If you have a problem with Hertz, you will deal with Hertz in Austria - hot your local US Hertz (if that's where you are from and if things haven't changed with Hertz). I've worked through many "problems" with AutoEurope and they have always resolved things in my favor - even with money out of their own pocket when it was really Europcar's screw-up.

Stu Dudley

What bob and ira and Stu said: there's not much difference until you have a problem, but when you do you can count on AutoEurope to resolve it quickly, efficiently, and in your favor (unless you really messed up).

We are now using the Amex car rental insurance plan that, for $24.95 per rental (up to 42 days), provides primary coverage for theft and damage with no deductible.

You have to use an enrolled Amex card (no charge to enroll). The charge is automatically applied whenever the card is charged for the rental.

More info here:
https://www295.americanexpress.com/premium/car-rental-insurance-mvt/home.do?intlink=premiumprotecthub_browsepromos_pcrpmonitoring&intlink=us-CCSG-NAC-CarRental-LearnMore

I'm also an AutoEurope fan for all the reasons the previous posters give, plus, a real appreciation for the friendly and knowledgeable people who answer their toll-free number.

Kemwel and AE are partner companies now and I have had two good experiences renting through Kemwel.

I've learned to only use Hertz in Europe. No problems at all. It's now way over 20 separate rentals.

I had one blown out tire, which may have been caused by me. When I returned the car, I told them to contact my CC company. Never heard from Hertz about the issue again.

If you belong to AAA, there is a discount.

There may be "cheaper" car rentals in Euope, but, overall, not less expensive. As Cowboy says above, check the fine print.

Let me throw in T&L's top car rental agencies for the last year.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2011/air-cruise-more/car-rental/245